Patterdale Terrier facts for kids
Patterdale Terrier
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| Origin | England |
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| Domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) | |
The Patterdale Terrier is a small, energetic dog breed. It comes from the northern parts of England. These dogs were first bred in the early 1700s. They are known for being tough and brave working dogs.
Contents
About Patterdale Terriers
What Patterdale Terriers Look Like
Patterdale Terriers are recognized by two main dog clubs in the United States: the United Kennel Club (UKC) and the American Dog Breeders Association (ADBA). The main dog club in the United Kingdom, called The Kennel Club, does not officially recognize this breed. This is because Patterdales are mostly bred for their working skills, not for dog shows.
The UKC says these dogs are usually between 25 and 38 centimeters (10 to 15 inches) tall. They should look strong and ready for action.
A Patterdale Terrier is a small, active dog. It has a balanced and compact body. As a working dog, it needs to be able to squeeze into small spaces underground. This helps it follow animals it is hunting. Breeders care more about how well the dog works than how it looks for shows. These terriers must have a strong neck. They need to be brave enough to hold their prey. They also need to be flexible and have lots of energy.
Their Coat and Colors
Patterdale Terriers can have three types of coats:
- Smooth coat: This coat has short, shiny hair. It usually still has a soft undercoat beneath.
- Broken coat: This coat is a bit rougher. It might have some longer whiskers on the muzzle and chin.
- Rough coat: This coat has longer hair all over, including on the face and ears. It has a very thick, protective double coat.
All Patterdale coats should be dense and rough to the touch. This helps protect them from bad weather.
Patterdales come in many colors. These include black, red, bronze, black and tan, chocolate, or liver. Sometimes they can be liver and tan or even brindle. They are never fully white. If a Patterdale has other colors, or large white patches (not just on the chest), it might mean it's mixed with another breed, like a Jack Russell Terrier. Traditionally, Patterdale Terriers have a solid color with no white markings.
Patterdale Terrier Personality
Patterdale Terrier puppies are often very bold and confident. They might act braver than they really are! Patterdales are known as working dogs. This means they are bred to have lots of energy and a strong desire to chase animals. They can be very energetic. This can make them a bit tricky to socialize with other animals or people if not trained early.
Even though some Patterdales are kept as pets, they were bred for intense work. This means they might be too energetic for a quiet home life. They need lots of exercise and things to do to stay happy.
History of the Patterdale Terrier
The Patterdale Terrier's story begins in the 1700s. They came from mixing older terrier breeds. Later, they were developed more in the Lake District area of England. A famous fox hunter named Joe Bowman helped refine the breed. He used the best local hunting terriers to make them even better.
The breed became more well-known thanks to Cyril Breay. He was a schoolteacher and hunter. He further improved the dogs using the best ones from northern England. Many believe that all Patterdale Terriers today come from dogs bred by him.
The Patterdale Terrier is more like a "type" of dog than a strict "breed." It's a mix of different working terriers from the United Kingdom. These dogs were often bred by hunters in northern England. They were used to hunt red foxes in the rocky hills (called fells) around the Lake District. In these areas, it was hard for dogs to dig. So, the Patterdale needed to be able to chase the fox out of rocky hiding spots. They were also used to control European badgers.
The Patterdale was developed in a tough part of northern England. This area is mostly hilly and good for sheep farming. Farmers saw foxes as a threat to their sheep. So, they used terriers to control these predators. Because the dens were rocky, the terriers had to be able to force the fox out or deal with it right there.
These dogs were carefully bred by Joe Bowman. Today, the Patterdale Terrier is a very popular and successful working terrier.
In 2004, a law called the Hunting Act 2004 made it illegal to use dogs to hunt foxes in this way in England and Wales.
Patterdale Terriers also came to the United States. Here, they are used to hunt animals like groundhogs, raccoons, and foxes. Patterdales are very adaptable dogs. They are good at many things, not just hunting. They also do well in dog sports like dog agility and terrier racing. The United Kennel Club recognized the Patterdale Terrier in the US on January 1, 1995. However, the American Kennel Club still does not recognize them.
Images for kids
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Patterdale puppies showing different coat types and colors.
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This Patterdale Terrier shows a lighter coat color.
See also
In Spanish: Patterdale terrier para niños
